Latest news with #Gillian
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Gillan Anderson: Sex scenes are never a joy
Gillian Anderson had admitted that sex scenes are "never a joy". The 56-year-old actress shares an intimate scene in a tent with co-star Jason Isaacs in her new movie 'The Salt Path' - based on the true story of couple Raynor and Moth Winn who embark on an epic walk in the UK after a bad health diagnosis and homelessness - and says such things are part and parcel of acting. Gillian told The Sun: "That is something you just expect as an actor. "That's part of what one does. I had an experience for many, many years working with the same actor every day. "I've also done sex scenes on the very first day of working, which is never a joy at any time during filming. "So you're thrown stuff all the time and just show whatever you're given." 'The X-Files' star added that it was straightforward to film the raunchy scenes with her "amenable" co-star Isaacs. She said: "Jason makes it very easy. He's very amenable, he's very likeable. "And certainly physically, we feel like we're the same language - certainly by the end. "We feel like our journey is baked into us, and we feel like we're part of the same conversation." Gillian explained that she became desperate to play Raynor after reading her book of the same name and being "profoundly affected" by the story. She recalled: "I read the book and I couldn't speak for days. I was really profoundly affected by it. I think I might have threatened them with an inch of their lives to hire me!" Gillian explained that starring in the movie has changed her thoughts on homelessness. The 'Sex Education' actress told the i paper: "It haunted me in a way that I think was good. "In America, you would stop at a light, and two or three people might surround the car and wash your windscreen and then ask for money, which I'd never seen happen here (in the UK) before. Post Covid, suddenly that was happening. "It was an opportunity to change how I thought about it, period. And to have more compassion and understanding. It's fascinating to observe in oneself the different emotions that come up as a result of being face-to-face with it."
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
It's part of what actors do but it's never a joy, says Gillian Anderson as she reveals all about filming sex scenes
A TWO-MAN tent on the windy south-west coast of England might not be everyone's ideal spot for a steamy encounter. But that is where former X-Files actress film The Salt Path, about a homeless couple embarking on a 630-mile trek. 8 Gillian Anderson filmed a sex scene in a tent on the windy south-west coast of England Credit: Getty 8 Gillian was filming with White Lotus star Jason Isaacs for upcoming film The Salt Path Credit: Black Bear 8 Gillian says she has become used to unexpected demands when it comes to filming sex scenes Credit: Getty She was even asked to Mum-of-three Gillian, 56, said: 'That is something you just expect as an actor. "That's part of what one does. I had an experience for many, many years working with the same actor every day. 'I've also done READ MORE GILLIAN ANDERSON "So you're thrown stuff all the time and just show whatever you're given. 'And Jason makes it very easy. He's very amenable, he's very likeable. 'And certainly physically, we feel like we're the same language — certainly by the end. 'We feel like our journey is baked into us, and we feel like we're part of the same conversation.' Most read in Celebrity So is sex in a tent ever a good idea? Gillian said: 'Well, sex in the back of a car, sex anywhere, I mean, yeah, why not? 'Uncomfortable, tight quarters, but needs must . . .' Gillian Anderson as Margaret Thatcher in the The Crown season 4 trailer The star became an international sex symbol playing FBI special agent Secret desires Since then she has enjoyed a distinguished three-decade career that has seen her take on a variety of roles, from Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in The Crown to therapist Jean Milburn in Netflix's racy series Sex Education. She has also found time to become a real-life crusader for female sexual empowerment and is currently working on a follow-up to her hugely successful 2024 book, Want. The collection of anonymous female sexual fantasies included one from a woman who wanted to be intimate with an office doorknob. I read the book and I couldn't speak for days. I was really profoundly affected by it. I think I might have threatened them within an inch of their lives to hire me! Gillian even hid one of her own fantasies in the mix — although she has not revealed which one — and has hinted that she may put more of her own secret desires in book two. The Salt Path is based on the book of the same name by long-distance walker and writer Raynor Winn. It tells her real-life tale of walking from Minehead in Somerset to Poole, Dorset, with her husband Moth after he is diagnosed with an incurable neuro-degenerative disease called corticobasal degeneration, or CBD. The couple had also become homeless in 2013, so they decided to set out on the 630-mile South West Coast Path with nothing but a tent bought on eBay, £115 in cash and a paycard to withdraw £48 a week in tax credits. 8 Gillian became famous for her role as FBI agent Dana Scully in The X Files television series Credit: Fox TV 8 Gillian has become an outspoken advocate for women's empowerment when it comes to sex Credit: PA:Press Association The heartwarming book went on to sell more than a million copies and, at this week's Hay Literary Festival, Raynor described the moment she found out that Gillian was going to play her in the film. She said: 'I thought, 'How is that ever going to work? She's so perfect, so glamorous, so beautiful. How is she going to capture me at such a raw moment in my life?' ' The tent sex scene with White Lotus star Jason did not feature in the book, but was added by writers for the movie adaptation, which was released on Friday. Raynor added: 'There's only one particularly hot scene in that book — I gave them big waves. I got back a sweaty scene in a tent.' For Gillian, playing Raynor became one of her most challenging roles, but one that she was desperate to play. She said: 'I read the book and I couldn't speak for days. I was really profoundly affected by it. I think I might have threatened them within an inch of their lives to hire me!' Gillian has always been drawn to playing strong women and found that becoming those characters on screen instilled a new-found confidence. Rebellious teenager She said on Fearne Cotton's Happy Place podcast: 'I think it awakened in me a kind of stirring in my own sense of my sexual self and sensual self. 'I don't know whether it had always been asleep or whether it was awake when I was younger and then was asleep. 'But the fact that so much of my career as an actor — starting as Scully in my 20s, where suddenly I was consistently called on to be the smartest in the room — I was asked to show up and believe that I could do those things. "It showed that I had it somewhere in me to look that smart, to be that powerful, to be that confident, to walk that way.' Gillian was born in Chicago but raised in London during her early years. Most of the time when I show up to work, particularly at the beginning of a job, I think I am going to be fired. Every single job, the first two days are hell. Then the family moved back to the US when she was 11 and she later became a rebellious teenager. She went through a lesbian phase, was arrested and dabbled in punk — getting into what she called 'dangerous things'. By the time she was 14 she was in therapy . Ten years later, while living on benefits in Michigan, she landed the X-Files job — and found overnight global fame. But Gillian admits she still struggles to conform. She told the We Can Do Hard Things podcast: 'I always have been a bit of an outsider. I didn't really make a lot of friends in high school. 'My hair was always not unlike it is right now — ratty and not curled. 'Then I started wearing oversized thrift clothes, cinching it with a belt, pointy black boots with buckles, and I started to shave my head and have a Mohawk. Also, by then I'd had a lesbian relationship that they all knew about and teased me about. 'I was kind of on the outside. Then true to form, on graduation night, I was actually arrested, because I tried to break into the high school with my then boyfriend to glue the locks shut.' 8 Gillian has been in a long-term relationship with The Crown writer Peter Morgan Credit: Getty 8 Gillian's daughter Piper is one of her three children, she also has two teenage boys Credit: Getty 'I started panicking' Gillian, who has been married twice, currently lives in London where she has been in a long-term relationship with The Crown writer Mum to daughter Piper, 30, and sons Oscar , 18, and 16-year-old Felix, she juggles acting with running the soft drinks company she founded with Peter's son, Robin. And despite being at the top of her game for more than 30 years, she admits she still feels insecure at times. On "She is a big deal in the UK. And she's a very divisive character and however people feel about her, there's no middle ground — they either absolutely hate her or they love her. "So I knew people felt very strongly, and obviously I wanted to do a good job. So I felt quite a lot of pressure.' She added: 'Most of the time when I show up to work, particularly at the beginning of a job, I think I am going to be fired. 'Every single job, the first two days are hell. Literally I think that I'm going to be fired and that the producers are huddling around the monitor. I'm literally going, 'Oh my God, what have I done?' 'And so the point is that I can do that and act as if I am this confident person, despite having panic attacks. 'If I can do those things, then as far as I'm concerned, anybody can.' 8 Gillian says she was profoundly affected by The Salt Path story and was excited to film the movie Credit: Kevin Baker/Black Bear
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
It's part of what actors do but it's never a joy, says Gillian Anderson as she reveals all about filming sex scenes
Gillian says she finds the first two days of filming a new project to be the scariest part SEX FILES It's part of what actors do but it's never a joy, says Gillian Anderson as she reveals all about filming sex scenes A TWO-MAN tent on the windy south-west coast of England might not be everyone's ideal spot for a steamy encounter. But that is where former X-Files actress Gillian Anderson found herself acting out a sex scene for her new film The Salt Path, about a homeless couple embarking on a 630-mile trek. Advertisement 8 Gillian Anderson filmed a sex scene in a tent on the windy south-west coast of England Credit: Getty 8 Gillian was filming with White Lotus star Jason Isaacs for upcoming film The Salt Path Credit: Black Bear 8 Gillian says she has become used to unexpected demands when it comes to filming sex scenes Credit: Getty She was even asked to squeeze into a sleeping bag with co-star Jason Isaacs — and now she has spoken about the awkwardness of filming intimate acts with someone you barely know. Mum-of-three Gillian, 56, said: 'That is something you just expect as an actor. "That's part of what one does. I had an experience for many, many years working with the same actor every day. 'I've also done sex scenes on the first day of working, which is never a joy at any time during filming. Advertisement "So you're thrown stuff all the time and just show whatever you're given. 'And Jason makes it very easy. He's very amenable, he's very likeable. 'And certainly physically, we feel like we're the same language — certainly by the end. 'We feel like our journey is baked into us, and we feel like we're part of the same conversation.' Advertisement So is sex in a tent ever a good idea? Gillian said: 'Well, sex in the back of a car, sex anywhere, I mean, yeah, why not? 'Uncomfortable, tight quarters, but needs must . . .' Gillian Anderson as Margaret Thatcher in the The Crown season 4 trailer The star became an international sex symbol playing FBI special agent Dana Scully in The X-Files, alongside David Duchovny as special agent Fox Mulder, in the original hit series that ran from 1993 to 2002. Secret desires Since then she has enjoyed a distinguished three-decade career that has seen her take on a variety of roles, from Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in The Crown to therapist Jean Milburn in Netflix's racy series Sex Education. Advertisement She has also found time to become a real-life crusader for female sexual empowerment and is currently working on a follow-up to her hugely successful 2024 book, Want. The collection of anonymous female sexual fantasies included one from a woman who wanted to be intimate with an office doorknob. I read the book and I couldn't speak for days. I was really profoundly affected by it. I think I might have threatened them within an inch of their lives to hire me! Gillian even hid one of her own fantasies in the mix — although she has not revealed which one — and has hinted that she may put more of her own secret desires in book two. The Salt Path is based on the book of the same name by long-distance walker and writer Raynor Winn. Advertisement It tells her real-life tale of walking from Minehead in Somerset to Poole, Dorset, with her husband Moth after he is diagnosed with an incurable neuro-degenerative disease called corticobasal degeneration, or CBD. The couple had also become homeless in 2013, so they decided to set out on the 630-mile South West Coast Path with nothing but a tent bought on eBay, £115 in cash and a paycard to withdraw £48 a week in tax credits. 8 Gillian became famous for her role as FBI agent Dana Scully in The X Files television series Credit: Fox TV 8 Gillian has become an outspoken advocate for women's empowerment when it comes to sex Credit: PA:Press Association Advertisement The heartwarming book went on to sell more than a million copies and, at this week's Hay Literary Festival, Raynor described the moment she found out that Gillian was going to play her in the film. She said: 'I thought, 'How is that ever going to work? She's so perfect, so glamorous, so beautiful. How is she going to capture me at such a raw moment in my life?' ' The tent sex scene with White Lotus star Jason did not feature in the book, but was added by writers for the movie adaptation, which was released on Friday. Raynor added: 'There's only one particularly hot scene in that book — I gave them big waves. I got back a sweaty scene in a tent.' Advertisement For Gillian, playing Raynor became one of her most challenging roles, but one that she was desperate to play. She said: 'I read the book and I couldn't speak for days. I was really profoundly affected by it. I think I might have threatened them within an inch of their lives to hire me!' Gillian has always been drawn to playing strong women and found that becoming those characters on screen instilled a new-found confidence. Rebellious teenager She said on Fearne Cotton's Happy Place podcast: 'I think it awakened in me a kind of stirring in my own sense of my sexual self and sensual self. Advertisement 'I don't know whether it had always been asleep or whether it was awake when I was younger and then was asleep. 'But the fact that so much of my career as an actor — starting as Scully in my 20s, where suddenly I was consistently called on to be the smartest in the room — I was asked to show up and believe that I could do those things. "It showed that I had it somewhere in me to look that smart, to be that powerful, to be that confident, to walk that way.' Gillian was born in Chicago but raised in London during her early years. Advertisement Most of the time when I show up to work, particularly at the beginning of a job, I think I am going to be fired. Every single job, the first two days are hell. Then the family moved back to the US when she was 11 and she later became a rebellious teenager. She went through a lesbian phase, was arrested and dabbled in punk — getting into what she called 'dangerous things'. By the time she was 14 she was in therapy. Ten years later, while living on benefits in Michigan, she landed the X-Files job — and found overnight global fame. But Gillian admits she still struggles to conform. She told the We Can Do Hard Things podcast: 'I always have been a bit of an outsider. I didn't really make a lot of friends in high school. Advertisement 'My hair was always not unlike it is right now — ratty and not curled. 'Then I started wearing oversized thrift clothes, cinching it with a belt, pointy black boots with buckles, and I started to shave my head and have a Mohawk. Also, by then I'd had a lesbian relationship that they all knew about and teased me about. 'I was kind of on the outside. Then true to form, on graduation night, I was actually arrested, because I tried to break into the high school with my then boyfriend to glue the locks shut.' 8 Gillian has been in a long-term relationship with The Crown writer Peter Morgan Credit: Getty Advertisement 8 Gillian's daughter Piper is one of her three children, she also has two teenage boys Credit: Getty 'I started panicking' Gillian, who has been married twice, currently lives in London where she has been in a long-term relationship with The Crown writer Peter Morgan. Mum to daughter Piper, 30, and sons Oscar, 18, and 16-year-old Felix, she juggles acting with running the soft drinks company she founded with Peter's son, Robin. And despite being at the top of her game for more than 30 years, she admits she still feels insecure at times. Advertisement On playing Margaret Thatcher in 2020, she said: 'It was daunting. From the moment I said yes, I started panicking. "She is a big deal in the UK. And she's a very divisive character and however people feel about her, there's no middle ground — they either absolutely hate her or they love her. "So I knew people felt very strongly, and obviously I wanted to do a good job. So I felt quite a lot of pressure.' She added: 'Most of the time when I show up to work, particularly at the beginning of a job, I think I am going to be fired. Advertisement 'Every single job, the first two days are hell. Literally I think that I'm going to be fired and that the producers are huddling around the monitor. I'm literally going, 'Oh my God, what have I done?' 'And so the point is that I can do that and act as if I am this confident person, despite having panic attacks. 'If I can do those things, then as far as I'm concerned, anybody can.' 8 Gillian says she was profoundly affected by The Salt Path story and was excited to film the movie Credit: Kevin Baker/Black Bear
Edinburgh Reporter
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Podium place for Ruby cheerleaders in Florida
Black Diamonds cheerleaders' Ruby group (aged 12-16) have returned in triumph from the prestigious Summit competition in Florida where they finished in bronze medal position. Just ahead of the Musselburgh-based outfit were England's Top Gun organisation and Stingrays from the host nation. Gillian Samuel, who coached the Rubies along with her daughter, Natalie, was overwhelmed by the success, saying: 'After twice finishing in the top 10 we finally made it on to the podium which was the culmination of nine months putting together routines and fund raising with projects such as supermarket bag-packing. 'To reach these heights out group of 18 had to see off competition from Japan, Germany, Canada, Ireland and Mexico.' It was a costly exercise with each girl having to raise a four figure sum just to get on the plane and Gillian paid tribute to a string of sponsors who assisted. Sponsors included Bold Autos, Artemis, East Coast Scaffolding, TCM Conservation and Masonry, WB Joinery Ltd and Howdens. Based at Musselburgh East Community Learning Centre, Gillian says that as word of the club's success spreads – they cleaned up in the six UK competitions entered to have their bid accepted for the Florida event which is one step below world championship level – bigger premises may soon be required. Settled accomodation has been a struggle for Black Diamonds in recent years but priority will be returning to the Summit competition next year to try to improve on third place. Clearly there will be no sitting on any laurels. The successful Ruby contingent comprised: Ella Lockett, captain, Casey Harcus, vice captain, Poppy Welsh, Isla McKenzie, Myla Mcveigh, Rhia Jude, Evie Dickson, Tillie Allison, Macy Harper, Harper McMillan, Charlotte Burden, Lexi Gardiner, Harmony Froude, Brookly Lye, Harmoni Gray, Elly Menshi, Maia Dickson, Rumeur White. Coaches – Gillian and Natalie Samuel. The Ruby group who did Black Diamonds cheerleading proud in Florida. Like this: Like Related
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Scots gran almost missed out on Robbie Williams gig after leg amputation
Gillian Walker, 56, from Edinburgh purchased tickets to see the Angels megastar in 2024 whilst she was still capable of walking into Murrayfield. A Scots gran who had her leg amputated feared she would be shutout of a Robbie Williams concert after gig bosses refused to change her ticket. Gillian Walker, 56, from Edinburgh purchased tickets to see the Angels megastar in 2024 whilst she was still capable of walking into Murrayfield. However, the gran - who suffers from diabetes and kidney problems - underwent a below-the-knee amputation in February 2025, confiding her to a wheelchair. Still determined to see her hero perform at the home of rugby this weekend, Gillian attempted to change her tickets for disability-accessible seating. But she was told there was no longer anything available, Edinburgh Live reports. However Ticketmaster made a U-turn after they were contacted by Edinburgh Live. The gigs and live events giant were able to offer Gillian new disability-accessible seats. Gillian and her family want to spread the word about accessibility and the impact it can have when it is not provided. Edinburgh Live spoke to Gillian's daughter Laura about her mum's disappointment when she feared her disability would prevent her from attending. She said: "This concert was something she had been looking forward to for a long time to have a normal day with he r two best friends, a celebration of her strength and perseverance. "The disappointment was immeasurable, not only because she faced not being able to see one of her favourite artists live, but also because it highlighted the ongoing struggles individuals with disabilities face in accessing events that should be open to everyone. "She's gone to every Robbie Williams show in Edinburgh or Glasgow for a long time with her friends. She's never missed one when he came to Scotland. This would've been the first time she'll be missing one." Laura claimed Ticketmaster and Murrayfield Stadium were initially not willing to accommodate Gillian's change of circumstances despite Gillian and her two friends paying £180 each for their seats. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Laura continued: "It feels like she can't do anything normal anymore. She feels isolated and penalised for it in a way. In lot of situations, it feels like a lot of things are not well adapted for wheelchair-users or people with disabilities. It's difficult to get around and doesn't feel quite normal. "Mum is a very independent woman and got lot of self worth. It's been a big mental journey for her accepting the new life but there are obstacles along the way. "It's super frustrating. I think anybody in life wants to have normal a life as possible and do things. She feels very different and not normal. "My mum's brother has had a disability since birth so it's really normal in our family but it's always struggle for them to be seen as normal people. She didn't ask for this, all down to illness. And she's being penalised in a way for that." Happily, Ticketmaster has since offered Gillian new disability-accessible seats following Edinburgh Live's appeal. Laura said her mum was "absolutely over the moon" and that she had "not heard her so excited in a long time". She added: "She's absolutely thrilled to be able to go and have the day with her best friends. She can't believe she's able to go now." A Ticketmaster spokesperson said: "At the time the request was made in April, we were advised by the venue that there were no accessible tickets available. "Following further discussions with the venue, we've now been informed that a small number of previously held tickets have been released. We're pleased to share that these tickets have now been secured for Gillian and her family, and our team has personally contacted them with the good news."
